Woman Charged in Stepdaughter's Death After Alleged Neglect

Authorities say a 51-year-old West Virginia woman was indicted Jan. 20 on a child murder charge after her 11-year-old stepdaughter was found unresponsive; the woman is being held without bail.

A West Virginia woman was indicted after her 11-year-old stepdaughter was found unresponsive in February 2025. Officials say the child had been living with the woman and had not received recent medical care. The medical examiner described the child's condition as inconsistent with her age. The woman, identified in court documents as Shannon Robinson, was indicted on Jan. 20 and is being held without bail. Known details: - Deputies responded to a Grafton home on Feb. 16, 2025, and found the child unresponsive, according to court documents. - The medical examiner reported the child's condition as grossly inconsistent with her age and noted untreated health issues, as stated in the documents. - Witnesses told investigators that food was withheld from the child at times and that the child was afraid to be taken to a hospital, according to local reporting. - Shannon Robinson, 51, was indicted by a Taylor County jury on Jan. 20 on a charge of murder of a child by a parent, guardian, or custodian, and is being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail with no bail; it is unclear whether she has entered a plea. Summary: The indictment moves the matter into the criminal justice system and places the defendant in custody as the legal process proceeds. Undetermined at this time.